Yanam is a town located in the district of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. It has a population of 35,000, most of whom speak Telugu. It was formerly a French colony for nearly 200 years, and, though united with India in 1954, is still sometimes known as “French Yanam”. It possesses a blend of French culture and the Telugu culture prevailing in Andhra Pradesh, nicknamed Frelugu. During French rule, the Tuesday market (Marché du mardi or Mangalavaram Santa) at Yanam was popular among the Telugu people in the Madras Presidency, who visited Yanam to buy foreign and smuggled goods during Yanam People’s Festival held in January. After implementation of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 in British India, Telugu people often traveled to Yanam to conduct child marriages, which remained legal under the French administration.
History
Colonial Yanaon
Yanaon was a Dutch colony prior to French takeover in the 1720s. Indigo wells (Neelikundilu) are still found in the west of Yanam. The Dutch built a fort, which they used to store their currency, minted at nearby Neelapalli. The location of the fort is today referred to by locals as the Saali Kota or Saalivandru, meaning “shawl-hut”, since after the demise of the Dutch, the building was taken over by cloth weavers.
The region was presented to a French General, the Marquess of Bussy, by the king of Vizianagaram as a token of gratitude for Bussy’s help in his fight against the rulers of Bobbili. There remains a street named after Bussy in Yanam.
French India
Commercial era, before 1742
The book The Botanic Garden of Yanam (Le Jardin Botanique de Yanaon), by Médecin-colonel Alfred-Alphonse-Léon Bigot, states that the Compagnie Française des Indes Orientales established a trading post at Yanaon in 1723, making it the third French colony established in India (though not officially confirmed as such until 1751).
The area was given up in 1727, after commercial operations proved unsuccessful, but was seized again by Governor-General Dupleix in 1731. A firman from Haji Hassan Khan, Nawab of Masulipatam, authorised the French Representative Fouquet, then chief of the Company at Masulipatam, to set up a lodge (small business concession) signed by the Governor of Rajahmundry and its Southern Circars, and Nawab Roustoum Khan (Haji Hussain) granted a Paravana dated 1735 for French commerce in Yanam.
Political era, after 1742
Yanoan was re-established in 1742, during the reign of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah, at which time political motives began to overshadow commercial development. The annual rent was waived by a document in 1743, and in 1747 the French administrator, Monsieur Sinfray, induced Mir Ahmad Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot, to grant the French all rights to the lands situated around their quarters at Yanam.
In December 1753, a Paravana of Salabat Jang conceded to Bussy the Northern Circars. Salabat Jang was indebted to the French East India Company for his elevation to the throne, which had been confirmed by the Mughal emperor. The agreement made between the French and Salabat Jang in Aurangabad bears the signature of Said Loukshur, Minister of Salabat Jang. Yanam acquired considerable importance during the French occupation of the Northern Circars.
First British occupation
Another important event in the history was the war between the French and the British fought at Chandurthi in 1758 in which the French were defeated. Salabat Jang made a treaty with the British and gave the Northern Circars under a firman to the British. After 1760 the French lost hold in South India, especially on Northern Circars.
A document dated 15 May 1765 showed that the villages of Yanam and Kapulapalem (Capouloupalém) with other lands were handed over by Jean White Hill and George Dolben, the British representatives deputed by Jean Pybus, the head of the British settlement in Masulipatam to Yoan Yacques Panon, French Commissioner deputed by Jean Law de Lauriston the then Governor General of Puducherry, for taking them over. This document mentions that France entered into possession of Yanam and its dependent territories with exemption from all export and import duties. Soon after taking possession of this settlement, Panon obtained a firman for full liberty of trade and commerce of the French in Yanam.
Second British occupation
Between 1778 and 1783, Puducherry was under British occupation. Yanam was restored again to the French in 1785. Mallhendre took possession of it and Bluter succeeded him. After Bluter, Pierre Sonnerat (18 August 1748 – 31 March 1814) became the chief in 1790 in Yanam. He appreciated very much the sonority and the music of the Telugu language. He administered Yanam during the time of the French Revolution.
Third British occupation
Once again French lost control over Yanam to the British. During 1793 and 1816 Puducherry was under British control. So, Yanam fell thrice into the hands of the British. After the Napoleonic wars, by the Treaty of Paris (1814) Yanam along with the factory at Machilipatnam was finally returned to the French on 26 September 1816. From then it was continuously under French control until its transfer to India in 1954.
Local administration in the colonial era
Venkanna Babu Ratham, Yanam
1840 decree
Local administration was started in Yanaon by a royal decree (Ordonnance Royale) dated 23 July 1840 during July Monarchy. According to that decree Yanaon and Mahé were provided with Chef de service (Service Chief) who resides in his official residence. After the merger, it is being resided by Regional Executive Officer, Yanam.
1871 decree
According to a decree dated 1 February 1871, one person can be sent as a député to the Chamber of Deputies.
1872 decree
Another pivotal incident in local administration was the decree of 1872. It was dated 13 June 1872 and was issued during Third Republic. According to that decree Conseils locaux (Local councils) were created at each colony. The elected member was called as Conseiller local (Local councillor). Conseil local de Yanaon had a strength of 4 local councillors. The term of office was 6 years with one half of membership renewed every 3 years. The powers of the local councils are purely advisory. These assemblies give their opinion on the local budget project concerning the establishments to which it belongs and on all the matters of the competence of the general council.
Ferry Road, Yanam
Rajiv Gandhi Bus station complex at Yanam
1878 decree
According to a decree dated 24 February 1878, one person could be sent as a sénateur to the French Senate (Sénat). Senators would be elected by Conseil colonial (Colonial Council) and Conseil local (Local council). First election were held on 26 March 1876.
1946 decree
By the decree of 1946, French India (Inde française) became an (Overseas Territory) of France. Then an Assemblée Représentative (Representative Assembly) was created for each colony. Yanaon was provided with two assembly representatives (Equivalent to MLA). Currently Yanaon is holding one assembly representative.
Notable assembly representatives from Yanam were Kamichetty Venougopala Rao Naidou, Kamichetty Savithiry, Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu and Kanakala Tatayya Naidou.
Municipal administration in the colonial era
Though the French established colonies in India in the seventeenth century itself, it was not until the end of the 19th century that they started civil administration in French India.
French Metropolitan decree
A French Metropolitan decree, dated 12 March 1880 adopted a six-year term of office for mayors (Maire), municipal councillors (Conseil municipaux) and commune panchayats (communes). Thus French India has seen a French system of municipal administration. In the past, municipal administration was virtually the pivot of the whole administrative machinery in French India. It had several features that could serve as a role model for hassle-free administration.
Then a total of 10 communes were formed in which Yanaon became one commune with a strength of 12 Municipal Councillors (conseillers municipaux). The first elections were held on 30 May 1880.
Structure of the municipality
Draksharamam Road
La Mairie (Town Hall) in Yanaon is now called as Municipality Building. It was built in 19th century and is situated next to Court House in the Thiagaraja Street in Yanaon Town. During French colonial rule, Yanam Municipality had 12 Sièges. Then, they were called previously as Sièges instead of wards. Each ward is represented by a municipal councillor. Each commune possesses a mayor and a municipal council (Conseil Municipal) that manage the commune from the Mairie. The life-span of a municipal council will be six years, with one half of the membership renewed every three years.
Election results of 1948
Children’s Park
Elections held on 24 October 1948 and 18 October 1954 are most crucial in the history of French India. In June 1948 the French and Indian Governments came to an agreement as to how the future of the French Settlements should be determined.
Municipal elections were held in Pondicherry, Karikal and Yanam on 24 October 1948. The two main parties were the French India Socialist Party (Socialists), who favoured the continuance of French rule, and the French India Congress (Congress), who favoured union with India. Socialist Party was headed by Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu and Congress Party was headed by Yerra Jaganatha Rao.
- Yanam – 12
- Socialists – 03
- Independents – 09
Cession of Yanam
Due to nationalist struggle by some leaders, conditions became intolerable in Yanam after its mayor and other representatives of Yanam adopted the merger resolution. The Mayor Madimchetty Satianandam, deputy mayor, and over 200 people took refuge in the adjacent areas of India. Then 78-year-old Samatam Krouschnaya became acting mayor of Yanam. On Sunday 13 June 1954, Indian police came into action. They along with the pro-merger leaders from Yanam assaulted refugees on Indian soil. It was then that the refugees marched into Yanam under the leadership of Dadala Raphael Ramanayya and aided by then Maire De Yanaon, Monsieur Madimchetty Satianarayanamourty alias Satia and took over the administration. After hoisting the Indian National Flag, they formed the revolutionary provisional government of Yanam headed by Dadala Raphael Ramanayya and adopted a resolution declaring “Yanaon libéré” (Yanam liberated). The coup d’état of Yanam was announced by All India Radio and Press.
After the coup d’état, the last administrator of Yanam, George Sala was recalled by André Ménard, then Governor General of Puducherry in June 1954.
Aftermath of liberation
The Yanam coup d’état had enraged the French authorities of Puducherry. Rumours were spread to the effect that the French government were despatching a cruiser to Yanam to capture Merger leaders and to re-establish their authority. After the coup, the last administrator of Yanam, George Sala was recalled by André Ménard, then Governor General of Puducherry in June 1954.
Dadala was also appointed as Acting Commissioner for Yanam for 14 days. Towards the end of June 1954, Kewal Singh paid a visit to Yanam and requested Dadala’s return to Pondicherry to continue his activities there. On 3 July, on Kewal Singh’s request, Dadala left Yanam, after making all arrangements for its proper administration.
De facto transfer
Yanam remained under French control till 13 June 1954, when it joined the Republic of India by Indian military action. On 1 November 1954, after long years of freedom struggle the de facto transfer (Vāstavikāntaraṇa) of the four enclaves of Pondicherry, Yanam, Mahé, and Karikal to India was achieved.
The Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Puducherry on 16 January 1955. Messrs Edouard Goubert, S. Perumal, Dadala and Sri Pakirisamy Pillai presented addresses to Pandit Nehru in a public meeting in the maidan of Gorimedu.
Treaty of cession
A treaty of cession was signed by the two countries on 28 May 1956. The de jure transfer was delayed until the end of the Algerian War. The treaty was ratified by the French parliament in May 1962.: 103 On 16 August 1962 (De Jure Day) India and France exchanged the instruments of ratification under which France ceded to India full sovereignty over the territories it held.
Special administration status
According to Traité de cession dated 1956, the four former French colonies were assured of maintaining their special administrative status. That is why Puducherry is the only Union Territory with some special provisions like Legislative Assembly, French as official language, etc. This is the most important article in the Traité de Cession, which ensures and safeguardes the personal interest of the people regarding their special administrative status.
The Article II of Traité de Cession which is valid in both English and French versions, states that,
- The Establishments will keep the benefit of the special administrative status in force prior to 1 November 1954. Any constitutional changes in this status which may be made subsequently shall be made after ascertaining the wishes of the people. (Ces établissements conserveront le bénéfice du statut administratif spécial en vigueur avant le 1er novembre 1954. Toute modification constitutionnelle à ce statut ne pourra intervenir, le cas échéant, qu’après consultation de la population.)
De jure Transfer
Treaty of cession was signed by the two countries in May 1956 was ratified by the French parliament in May 1962. On 16 August 1962 India and France exchanged the instruments of ratification under which France ceded to India full sovereignty over the territories it held. Every year on 16 August, the De jure Transfer Day (Vidhitāntaraṇa Dinamu in Telugu language) is celebrated throughout Puducherry Union Territory.
Merger with the Union Territory of Pondicherry
Pondicherry and the settlements of Karikal, Mahé and Yanaon became a Union Territory with effect from 7 January 1963 by the 14th amendment to the Indian Constitution, which was notified in The Gazette of India on 29 December 1962. In the same year, on 10 May, as the people aspired for a popular Government, the Indian Parliament enacted the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 that came into force on 1 July 1963, and the pattern of Government prevailing in the rest of the country was introduced in this territory also, but subject to certain limitations.